Originally Posted by
sailingfun
I started out as a civilian trained pilot and then went through a military program. I can tell you the two are worlds apart in quality and instructional tools. You also get to experience many things you will only ever talk about in a civilian program. This is not a knock on civilian pilots. Its simply a statement that the military training is light years ahead of most civilian programs. I had one friend in flight school who had 4000 hours and had been a Captain at a regional. He was astounded at the difference in the training and the things he learned and experienced the civilian programs never give you a shot at. Are there bad military pilots yes. Are there great civilian pilots yes. The training however in general is light years ahead in the military.
Very true it's not often I get to learn about air combat but then again the EMB doesn't switch to guns very easily.
In all seriousness training only takes you so far. Sheer flight time in various weather conditions, geographical climates, different density airports, etc. build the experience. I have no doubt the initial military training is top notch however I feel the sheer amount of hours and real world flying in multiple locations with differing weather conditions allows for a more confident person in the cockpit. Take two guys one an ex mil guy with 10,000hrs in a 737 or a non-mil guy with 10,000hrs in that aircraft and try and tell them apart.